Conclusions and Follow-up

As the conference concluded, several action steps were identified. As summarized by the Closing Session Chair, they are as follows: Revise the “Foundations for Effectiveness” document (previous version here) based on the conference inputs and circulate it to conference participants. Begin the process of creating an independent civil society advisory and auditing group to advise, [...]

Session 10: Practical steps to establish mechanisms for effective implementation at national and global levels

The speaker of this panel sessions were asked to reflect on the last two days and offer recommendations as to what to do with regard to the UNFCCC process and the climate change funds and initiatives. Speakers were Haddy Sey, Phillip Shearman, Sandra Smithey, Lars Løvold, Joji Cariño, and Carmenza Robledo. The chair of the [...]

Session 5: Funds and Financing Strategies: Steps to Protect Rights

Joelle Chassard, Manager of the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit, made a presentation on the Forest Carbon Partnership. She noted the massive capacity building activities needed to implement REDD. The FCPF, she said, is only a catalyst for a REDD market, and that “$300 million will not save the world’s forests. The FCPF follows a [...]

Session 1 – Setting the Scene

Session 1 featured an address from Erik Solheim, Minister of Environment and International Development, Norway. Minister Solheim asked the conference to consider REDD an opportunity to empower communities and achieve climate goals at the same time. The only way for conservation to work, he said, is for local communities to see an interest in implementing [...]

Importance of Nature Capital

Guest post from Deborah Barry, CIFOR The conference has started off couched within the current context of world affairs… The Minister of Environment and International Development of Norway, Erik Solheim brought a positive reflection from the recent financial crisis around the world. First, stating that – Nature capital is much more important and of greater [...]

Short interview with Hans Brattskar

Interview with Hans Brattskar, Director, Government of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative

Opening Session: Rights, Forest and Climate Change Conference

Opening Address Hans Brattskar, Director, Government of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative The conference was officially opened by Hans Brattskar, who is the Director of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. In his speech he gave an overview over this initiative and the reasons why Norway chose to focus on deforestation. Norway is committed [...]